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Generation of spin current by Coulomb drag
M Pustilnik1, E G Mishchenko, O A Starykh
1School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|February 7, 2007
Summary
Coulomb drag in quantum wires is sensitive to electronic density mismatches. A magnetic field can enable charge-to-spin current conversion by compensating for these mismatches.
Area of Science:
- Condensed matter physics
- Quantum electronics
Background:
- Coulomb drag describes the interaction between charge carriers in separate conductors.
- Electronic density mismatch in quantum wires significantly impacts Coulomb drag effects.
- Spin-dependent interactions are crucial in understanding electron behavior in nanoscale systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of magnetic fields on Coulomb drag between quantum wires.
- To explore the conversion of charge current to spin current via Coulomb drag.
- To analyze the role of electronic density mismatch and spin compensation.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical modeling of Coulomb drag in coupled quantum wires.
- Analysis of electron-electron interactions under applied magnetic fields.
- Spin-resolved transport calculations.
Main Results:
- Coulomb drag exhibits exponential sensitivity to electronic density mismatches.
- An applied magnetic field effectively compensates for density mismatches for opposite electron spins.
- Significant momentum transfer occurs, enabling charge current to spin current conversion.
Conclusions:
- Magnetic field application offers a method to control and enhance Coulomb drag.
- Charge-to-spin current conversion is achievable in quantum wire systems through spin-compensated Coulomb drag.
- The findings have implications for spintronic device development.
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